N.Y. teachers’ health plan includes free plastic surgery

Free plastic surgery for teachers is a policy that’s been on the books in Buffalo, N.Y., for nearly 40 years, CNN reports. Amazing at a time when teachers are being laid off around the country.

However, the program has come under scrutiny as the local school board faces budget problems, CNN says. But there’s even more to the story:

(Teachers) say the teachers contract … expired nearly a decade ago negotiations for a new one have failed.

And they add they are woefully underpaid. It is quite interesting to hear what the president of the teachers unions says about the plastic surgery benefit. Philip Rumore says, “We’ve told the district from the beginning of negotiations six or eight years ago that we’re willing to give it up, so as long the district comes back to the table with us, it’s gone.” When asked, “Do you feel as a gesture of good faith, the union should say, teachers, no more free plastic surgery?” Rumore responds, “It would be a wonderful gesture of good faith. We’re willing to give it up. All the district has to do is come to the table and negotiate with us. But not willing to do it unilaterally.”

It’s interesting that the Buffalo police and firefighters have a similar plastic surgery rider in their insurance plans, but the city isn’t as strapped as the schools, CNN notes.